I have to admit – I am a wuss and, as a result, I’m not the biggest horror game fanatic out there. Since my Doom days, when I was cowering behind walls, hiding from (potential) Demons, I got the most terrible jumpscares from games that weren’t even intended to be horror.
But fortunately, I won’t let my weakness get the best of me and I keep playing them – although during the day and with the lights turned on. HA!
Jokes aside, I have hand-picked some recently released and completely amazing horror games that you should play today – from better known titles to more obscure recommendations, these games have one thing in common: they are scary good!
NOTE: All of these games are handpicked by the article’s author and genuine recommendations for AMAZING PC horror games, not recommended by algorithms or anything alike.
Conrad Stevenson’s Paranormal P.I.
Released: September 2023
If ghost hunting in a slow, methodical style is your thing, Conrad Stevenson’s Paranormal P.I. might just be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.
As an amateur paranormal investigator, you explore haunted houses and other spooky locations armed with real-world ghost-hunting tools like EMF meters and cameras. The focus here is more on atmosphere and the slow discovery of hauntings rather than action or survival. But there are plenty of jump scares to keep everybody happy. Or not, depending on your point of view.
Check out the game: Steam link.
Amnesia: The Bunker
Released: June 2023
Amnesia: The Bunker brings a fresh spin to the Amnesia franchise, combining survival horror with an open-world sandbox environment. Set in a dark World War I bunker, you are left to explore and survive as a terrifying monster hunts you down.
Unlike previous games, The Bunker gives you more tools to survive, from weapons to crafting supplies, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less terrifying or easier. The game’s AI-driven monster adapts to your behavior, making every encounter different and every step you take fraught with danger.
Check out the game: Steam link.
Also read: Best Parkour and Freerunning Games
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Released: March 2023
The Resident Evil 4 Remake took everything that made the 2005 original a classic and dialed up the tension and terror. While it keeps the beloved over-the-shoulder perspective, Capcom’s remake brings jaw-dropping graphics, tighter controls, and refined mechanics to the forefront.
The remake preserves the heart-pounding action of the original while adding a more terrifying atmosphere, better AI, and more complex enemies. There’s a greater emphasis on survival, with ammo and health supplies being precious resources. With its upgraded look and feel, this reimagined Resident Evil 4 offers one of the best horror experiences on Steam for both old fans and newcomers alike.
Check out the game: Steam link.
Post Trauma
Released: 2024
Post Trauma is a love letter to the classic survival horror games of the ’90s, especially Silent Hill where you play as Roman, a middle-aged train conductor trapped in a surreal, nightmarish world.
The game excels at blending old-school fixed-camera perspectives with modern horror mechanics. The environments are dark, creepy, and filled with disturbing imagery, while the puzzles evoke the style of older survival horror games.
Check out the game: Steam link.
The Outlast Trials
Released: March 2024
If you thought Outlast couldn’t get any more terrifying, The Outlast Trials will change your mind. This latest installment in the Outlast series swaps out single-player for co-op, letting you and your friends survive a brutal experiment orchestrated by the sinister Murkoff Corporation.
Unlike previous games, you now have some ability to fight back and work together as a team, but make no mistake: you’re still vulnerable, and the horrors lurking in the facility are relentless.
The game excels at creating tension, with claustrophobic environments and grotesque enemies constantly hunting you down. It forces players to think fast and work together, blending psychological horror with pulse-pounding action.
Check out the game: Steam link.
Sons of the Forest
Released: February 2024
This long-awaited sequel to The Forest thrusts players into another terrifying survival horror experience, but with a larger scope and even more nightmarish creatures.
In Sons of the Forest, you’re sent to rescue a missing billionaire on a remote island, only to discover that the island is full of cannibalistic mutants and other horrors.
The game’s co-op mode adds to the fun (and terror), as you and your friends struggle to survive together.
Check out the game: Steam link.
The Fridge is Red
Released: September 2022
A psychological horror anthology, The Fridge is Red is a deeply unsettling game that plays with your mind more than your reflexes. Each episode explores different, bizarre scenarios revolving around the theme of dread and unease. Whether you’re wandering through a nightmarish hospital or investigating the creepy happenings in your own home, the game immerses you in surreal and terrifying environments.
The low-poly art style adds to the strange, dreamlike feeling of the game, creating an experience that feels unsettling and nostalgic all at once. It’s a slow-burn horror game that will leave you disturbed long after you stop playing. Perfect for fans of games like The Twilight Zone in game form.
Check out the game: Steam link.
Signalis
Released: October 2022
Signalis is a retro-inspired survival horror game that blends sci-fi and psychological horror in a hauntingly beautiful way – and yes, that does include the pixelated visuals.
You play as Elster, a Replika (android) searching for her lost partner in a dystopian future. The game is heavily influenced by classic horror titles like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, featuring tank controls, limited resources, and eerie environments. So enough to guarantee its quality!
Check out the game: Steam link.
The Mortuary Assistant
Released: August 2022
In The Mortuary Assistant, you play as Rebecca, an apprentice working the night shift at a creepy mortuary. Things quickly spiral into horror as supernatural forces start taking control of the dead bodies you’re preparing.
As if me mentioning that I’m a wuss wasn’t enough to prove how difficult (yet fun) it is for me to play this game, we’re talking about procedurally generated shifts here, each of them offering a new experience with new scares, puzzles, and supernatural events.
The game excels at creating an oppressive atmosphere, and its detailed mortuary tasks keep you on edge, resulting in an amazing, yet potentially nightmare-provoking experience.
Check out the game: Steam link.
Phasmophobia
Released: September 2020
Still popular and scary good after all these years, Phasmophobia keeps content fresh and players engaged with new content and amazing gameplay.
This co-op ghost-hunting game places you and your friends in haunted locations, where you’ll use a variety of equipment to identify and survive terrifying supernatural entities. The game’s realistic audio and VR support make it one of the most immersive horror experiences out there. If you haven’t played it yet, now is the perfect time to jump in.
Check out the game: Steam link.
The Tartarus Key
Released: May 2023
The Tartarus Key is a first-person horror puzzler that takes inspiration from classic escape rooms and psychological horror games. As a result, the visuals don’t offer as much eye candy, but you have everything else there.
You play as Alex, who wakes up in a mysterious mansion filled with traps, puzzles, and cryptic messages.
What makes The Tartarus Key stand out is its focus on puzzle-solving and story rather than combat – although it remains creepy and scary. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer thinking their way through horror scenarios rather than fighting off monsters.
Check out the game: Steam link.
Backrooms: Escape Together
Released: October 2022
Backrooms: Escape Together brings the infamous “Backrooms” internet legend to life in a multiplayer horror game that focuses on co-op survival. There are plenty of options here, but I personally prefer Escape Together.
You and your friends are trapped in an endless maze of fluorescent-lit rooms, trying to escape while being hunted by terrifying entities lurking in the shadows. The randomly generated environments and procedural scares ensure that no two playthroughs are the same, keeping the tension high at all times.
Check out the game: Steam link.
The Casting of Frank Stone
Released: September 2024
One of the most recent games on this list, the game deserves its spot here thanks to the psychological horror experience that it delivers.
You’re cast into the shoes of Frank, a struggling actor who finds himself trapped in a disturbing series of auditions where the lines between performance and reality begin to blur.
Its strong narrative focus and constant feeling of dread make it a fantastic horror game for those who love tension without relying on cheap jump scares. Which is right up my alley
Check out the game: Steam link.
Plenty of amazing options to get your horror fix on Steam. These are the best (more recent) horror games you can now play on PC and I hope you will enjoy them all!
I am sure there are plenty of other great options out there, so if you have additional favorites, let us all know by commenting below!